Titans QB Locker misses practice with sore thumb

Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker walks off the field after the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. The touchdown and the extra point gave the Browns a 29-28 win. Locker left the field after injuring hi

Mike Stewart

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Titans quarterback Jake Locker didn't practice Wednesday with a sore and swollen right thumb on his passing hand. He managed to throw some passes hopes to practice as much as possible the rest of the week.

The Titans quarterback hurt his thumb banging his hand off a defender's helmet in the second quarter of a 29-28 loss to Cleveland on Sunday. If Locker can't play against winless Jacksonville (0-5), it would be his second missed start in three games for a fourth-year quarterback in the final year of his rookie contract.

''I want to be out there, I want to play,'' Locker said Wednesday. ''I think sometimes that can cloud that judgment a little bit. But like I told you guys after the game, I'm going to do everything that I can to just be as healthy as possible throughout this week, and we'll evaluate it from there.''

Locker's not the only key injury for the Titans (1-4) this week.

Left tackle Michael Roos did not practice with a brace on his right knee. The 10-year veteran, who has missed only one game after an appendectomy in October 2012, said he is likely facing surgery that could be season-ending with a decision being made in the next couple days.

''(I) haven't been hurt before,'' Roos said. ''It's difficult. Just trying to take it one day at a time.''

Rookie Taylor Lewan, the No. 11 draft selection overall in May, practiced in Roos' place. Roos said Lewan will be fine if the rookie winds up starting against Jacksonville.

''He's definitely capable,'' Roos said. ''And he's already practicing today, so he'll have all that time under him and have to obviously get his mind right he's going to play, and I think he'll be fine.''

Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt says Locker's injury is similar to the injured right wrist kept the quarterback out of a loss at Indianapolis on Sept. 28. The coach says they'll see how Locker progresses and that the quarterback wants to play.

''We'll have to make the decision on what's best for the team and where he is physically,'' Whisenhunt said. ''That's something that we'll have to see later in the week.''

Locker has missed 15 of 37 games since being named the starter with injuries to his right foot, hip, right knee and shoulder. Even though the Titans have insisted all year that Locker is their starter at quarterback, they must decide soon on whether he is their quarterback past this season.

Asked about Locker's injuries on a conference call with Jacksonville reporters, Whisenhunt noted this time Locker banged his hand on a helmet.

''At that position, that happens,'' Whisenhunt said. ''I don't think that's because you're predisposed for injuries. He made a good throw; he made some good plays for us. Unfortunately, that happened. All I can judge is my time with Jake and unfortunately in this past game, he was playing well for us. It was just an unfortunate thing.''

Locker was playing well when hurt in the last game. He was 8 of 11 for 79 yards passing with a touchdown, and he also ran four times for 34 yards and another score. Locker took a forearm to the head from Browns linebacker Chris Kirksey in the end zone, but he didn't miss an offensive snap. Locker hurt his thumb on the next drive.

Now Locker just has to ease the swelling in his thumb.

''It's getting better,'' he said.

Notes: LG Andy Levitre has been fined $8,268 for a personal foul against Kirksey in the second half, and he plans to check the tape before deciding whether to appeal. LB Derrick Morgan also was fined $8,268 after being ejected in the fourth quarter. He plans to appeal. ... CB Coty Sensabaugh (right knee) did not practice along with TE Craig Stevens (thigh), while DT Jurrell Casey was given the day off. RB Shonn Greene (hamstring) and TE Taylor Thompson (right knee) were limited. TE Delanie Walker (shoulder) and CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (concussion) practiced fully.

---

Online:

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

---

Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker

You May Like

More NFL

Sign Up for our Newsletter

Don't get stuck on the sidelines! Sign up to get exclusives, daily highlights, analysis and more—delivered right to your inbox!